Multipurpose leaf crop harvesting apparatus and processing method

ABSTRACT

The Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus and Processing Method will accomplish seven steps in one pass of the combine harvester. This apparatus and processing method harvests leaf crops and is configured to perform multiple processing operations, including fractionation of the leaf crop, leaf maceration, leaf sizing, elevating the leaf fraction to a transport vehicle, and stem conditioning, cutting and windrowing, in a single pass through the crop field. These steps are accomplished using a header unit, an adapter feeder macerator and a forage harvester vehicle, expeditiously removing the leaf fraction from the field. Following leaf fraction harvesting, the leaf fraction is processed by densification into forage feed products. The processed leaf fraction can be combined with other feeds to make up customized feed rations. The stem fraction is also processed. The present invention can also be used to harvest grass crops.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application describes an multipurpose leaf crop harvestingapparatus and processing method that harvests leaf crops and grasses andis capable of performing seven different processes including in-fieldfractionation of leaf crop leaves and stems, leaf maceration of the leaffraction, leaf forage sizing, elevating the leaf fraction to a transportvehicle or trailer, as well as cutting the stem fraction, conditioningthe stem fraction and windrowing the stem fraction for later baling, allin a single pass through the crop field.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present problem is the inconsistent quality of product, inclementweather, and leaf loss at harvest. Animals produce better yields and arehealthier when given consistent proper nutrition. Leaves in alfalfa,whether they are harvested early or late in the growth cycle of theplant, make up a primary component of a resulting feed ration derivedfrom harvested alfalfa. Using the Multipurpose Leaf Crop HarvestingApparatus and Processing Method, the leaf fraction of the plant can beharvested for optimal leaf yield. The conventional methods for producingquality alfalfa are responsible for losing about 24% of the high-qualityleaf yield potential due to harvest intervals, poor weather, andmechanical losses.

The Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus and Processing Methodeliminates all but 3-5% of leaf loss, increases nutritional values byretaining water soluble nutrition by quickly drying leaf fraction, andeliminating harvest weather risks to the leaf fraction. The conventionalmethod for producing dried alfalfa has not changed since the 1950's.Alfalfa is cut, conditioned, windrowed, raked, baled, and stacked. Thesizes of both the machinery and the bales have gotten bigger and fasterover time but the basic process has remained the same. Conventionalhaving faces the following problems: mechanical yield loss at each stepof the process, yield and quality losses due to the harvest weatherrisks of rain, hail, humidity, wind, too much dew, not enough dew andsun bleach producing an inconsistency of product due to the maturationand ever-changing feed quality of the stem fraction.

A Comparison of “Alfalfa Leaf Hay” and Conventionally Baled Hay intoday's market:

-   -   Conventional Hay (6 baled tons harvested product per acre)    -   $120 average price per ton in 2015 in Southeastern Idaho (dairy        quality hay $180, export $120, feeder $75).    -   $720 per acre gross return (this return is, in many cases, at or        below the cost of production)

Alfalfa Leaf Hay

-   -   7.4 total tons of alfalfa per acre (the harvesting process gains        15% total tonnage to the leaf fraction, and harvest timing will        add 8% to the harvested total):    -   3.92 tons of leaf hay at $330.00=$1,293.60,    -   3.25 tons of stem hay at $65.00=$226.20    -   $1,293.60+$226.20=$1,519.80 gross per acre    -   $1,519.80 per acre gross return

Alfalfa Leaf Hay Production Costs

-   -   $42.19 per ton fuel for drying the alfalfa leaf fraction based        on $94.80 cost to dry the whole alfalfa plant with a leaf to        stem drying of ratio of 3:1    -   $6.00 per ton electricity for the drying    -   $16.50 per ton transportation leaf fraction from field to dryer        (50-mile average distance)    -   $3.09 per ton leaf harvester    -   $21.00 per ton dryer capital cost    -   $14.00 packaging cost    -   $102.78 total harvest cost per ton leaf fraction    -   $3.09 per ton stein cutting    -   $3.04 per ton rake stem fraction    -   $14.00 per ton bale stem fraction    -   $4.00 per ton stack stem fraction    -   $24.13 per ton total harvest cost    -   $402.90 leaf fraction harvest per acre ($102.78*3.92 tons/acre)    -   $83.97 stem fraction harvest cost per acre (24.13*3.48 tons/per        acre)    -   $585.00 per acre paid to farmer (based on a standard 65%-35%        custom rate @$150 per ton)    -   $83.65 per acre based on 7.5% fudge factor    -   $1,158.52 cost of production    -   $1,519.80−1,158.52=$361.28 net return per acre or a 23.7%        margin.

What is Alfalfa Leaf Hay? The Alfalfa Leaf Hay process fractionates thealfalfa plant. The leaf fraction is separated from the stem fraction ofthe alfalfa plant at harvest. The high value, high quality leaf fractionis taken directly from the field to be cured in a dryer and the stemfraction is left in the field to be sun cured. This eliminates leaffraction harvest weather risk and increases the yield of the harvestedleaves by about 24% through reduced harvest leaf loss and the ability totime the harvest for maximum leaf fraction yield. The leaf and stemproducts can then be used to provide the customer with the exact alfalfanutrition required for their animals.

Numerous innovations for the harvesting alfalfa have been provided inthe prior art that are described as follows. Even though theseinnovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes towhich they address, they differ from the present design as hereinaftercontrasted. The following is a summary of those prior art patents mostrelevant to this application at hand, as well as a description outliningthe difference between the features of the Multipurpose Leaf CropHarvesting Apparatus and Processing Method.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,129 of James F Dallenger describes a crop processorfor forage harvesters that includes a paddle wheel assembly forreplacing the lower compressor roll of a compressor roll assembly. Thepaddle wheel assembly includes paddles arranged to convey crop materialthat has been previously cut and chopped by a cutter head toward adischarge blower while causing only minimal further conditioning of thecut and chopped crop material. When harvesting grass crops such asalfalfa, the paddle wheel assembly prevents plugging of the cropprocessor.

This patent describes a modification to a crop processor for forageharvesters that includes a paddle wheel assembly but does not describethe unique features of the Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatusand Processing Method capable of performing multiple steps in one passof the harvester, to directly remove the crop from the field and reducethe risk of damage to the crops by moisture when it is left in the fieldto dry before processing.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,225 of Michael S. Allen et al. describes a systemand a method for providing farmers/producers with crop characteristicpredictions for standing crops located in fields includes a centraldatabase for storing field and crop information for the crops. A weatherdata processor receives raw weather data from either or both of (1) aweather data service with collected weather data from a plurality ofweather stations; and (2) one or more site specific weather stationsassociated with a particular field whose information is in the database.The raw weather data are processed to obtain field weather parametersfor entry into a crop characteristic prediction equation, and theparameters are stored in the central database. With a user interface, acrop whose information is stored in the central database is selected. Acomputer calculates a crop characteristic prediction for the selectedfield based on the crop and field information stored in the centraldatabase, including the field weather parameters in the database, andthe crop characteristic prediction formula. The producer uses theprediction to determine time of harvest. In one embodiment, the cropsare alfalfa crops and the crop characteristic is neutral detergent fibercontent.

This patent describes a system and a method for providingfarmers/producers with crop characteristic predictions for standingcrops regarding the possibility of crop damage to the crops harvestedand left on the field when inclement weather changes create rain or hailwhich can damage the crops. By harvesting using the Multipurpose LeafCrop Harvesting Apparatus and Processing Method capable of performingmultiple steps in one pass of the harvester to directly remove the cropfrom the field, the risk of damage to the crops by moisture when it isleft in the field to dry before processing, are significantly reduced.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,439,385 of David C. Johnson describes an invention thatrelates to the field of alfalfa plants, and more specifically to alfalfagermplasm and alfalfa varieties having improved standability and/or fastrecovery after spring green-up or fast recovery after harvest andmethods for producing such improved germplasm and varieties.

This patent describes an invention that relates to the field of alfalfaplants, and more specifically to alfalfa germplasm but does not teach ordisclose the unique features of the Multipurpose Leaf Crop HarvestingApparatus and Processing Method with the capability of performingmultiple steps in one pass of the alfalfa combine harvester, to reducethe risk of damage to the crops by moisture when it is left in the fieldto dry before processing.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,448 of Donald C. Kline describes an apparatuscarried on a self-propelled vehicle field processes alfalfa to obtaintherefrom fiber and protein components and a deproteinized liquidcomponent which is simultaneously applied on the field as the vehicleadvances. The apparatus includes a harvesting head assembly which ismounted on the front of the vehicle to cut the alfalfa and means toconvey the alfalfa rearwardly to a macerator which shreds the harvestedalfalfa. The macerated alfalfa is separated into fibrous and liquidfractions by a dewatering press which is connected to the macerator by aconveyor. The fibrous fraction is blown rearwardly into a trailer pulledbehind the vehicle. The liquid fraction is heated to a predeterminedtemperature and is pumped into a holding tank wherein the protein in theliquid coagulates and floats on the deproteinized liquid. The protein isskimmed, from the deproteinized liquid and is collected in a storagecontainer mounted on the vehicle. The deproteinized liquid is applied onthe ground beneath the vehicle by a sprayer assembly. A method forin-field processing of alfalfa is disclosed.

This patent describes an apparatus carried on a self-propelled vehiclefield processes alfalfa to obtain therefrom fiber and protein componentsand a deproteinized liquid component which is simultaneously applied onthe field as the vehicle advances. This process does not teach ordisclose the unique features of the Multipurpose Leaf Crop HarvestingApparatus and Processing Method with the capability of performingmultiple steps in one pass of the alfalfa combine harvester, to reducethe risk of damage to the crops by moisture when it is left in the fieldto dry before processing.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,185,786 of Donald C. Kline describes an apparatuscarried on a self-propelled vehicle field processes alfalfa to obtaintherefrom fiber and protein components and a deproteinized liquidcomponent which is simultaneously applied on the field as the vehicleadvances. A specially-designed macerator for shredding the harvestedalfalfa is disclosed. The macerator includes a cylindrical die ringhaving an open end and a series of peripheral apertures through whichthe alfalfa is extruded by means of a pair of rollers mounted inside thedie ring for rotation therewith. The die ring is rotatably supported ina frame, and the rollers are coupled to the die ring for rotation insynchronism. A shroud surrounds the periphery of the die ring to collectmacerated alfalfa, and an impeller is mounted inside the shroud fordisplacing macerated alfalfa downwardly through an outlet in the bottomof the shroud.

This process again does not teach or disclose the unique features of theMultipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus and Processing Method withthe capability of performing multiple steps in one pass of the alfalfacombine harvester, to reduce the risk of damage to the crops by moisturewhen it is left in the field to dry before processing.

US Patent Application Publication No. US2014/0081587 A1 of Jeffery S.Roberts describes a method where the weight of the bale is measured by ascale on the baler, the moisture of the bale is measured by sensors onthe baler and this information is sent to a processor. Based oncompaction properties of the leaf verses the stem of the alfalfa, theprocessor calculates a feeding value for the hay including protein,energy and relative feed value on the dry density of the bale.Additional inputs such as the compaction setting of the baler andinformation about the hay being harvested can also be input into theprocessor for making adjustment to the feeding value calculation.

This patent describes a method where the weight of the bale is measuredby a scale on the baler but does not teach or disclose the uniquefeatures of the Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus andProcessing Method with the capability of performing multiple steps inone pass of the alfalfa combine harvester, to reduce the risk of damageto the crops by moisture when it is left in the field to dry beforeprocessing.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,297,091 of Michael R. Stelling describes an alfalfapelletizing apparatus and method wherein pellets are formed in anopen-ended molding passage or aperture by compressing members enteringboth ends of the aperture to compress the alfalfa and to extract liquidcontent for discharge at a passage communicating with the mid portion ofthe primary mold aperture. The mold apertures are formed in a movingbelt upon which the alfalfa is discharged. The pellets are expelled fromthe apertures after formation thereof and the forming apertures are thencleaned after release of the pellets.

This patent describes an alfalfa pelletizing apparatus and methodwherein pellets are formed but does not teach or disclose the uniquefeatures of the Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus andProcessing Method with the capability of performing multiple steps inone pass of the alfalfa combine harvester, to reduce the risk of damageto the crops by moisture when it is left in the field to dry beforeprocessing.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,359,199 of Paul L. F. Sun, Roscoe describes an alfalfaproduct, hybrids and non-hybrids, and a method for synthesizing analfalfa product having increased uniformity for preselected traitshaving improved uniformity of one or more selected traits, includingflowering dates, flower frequency, maturity rate, growth rate, falldormancy and winter hardiness. The alfalfa product may also includeimproved predictability of these traits. A scheduled harvest system maybe established using two or more varieties of the alfalfa product havingdifferent and predictable mean flowering dates. The scheduled harvestsystem may be designed to allow for harvesting of alfalfa varieties atmaximum relative feeding value. The method may be used to synthesize analfalfa product having one or more predetermined traits. The methodselects germplasm, including a cytoplasmic male sterile line, a geneticmale sterile line, a maintainer line, a restorer line and a line havingnormal cytoplasm, having ergonomically desirable traits. Plants grownfrom the germplasm are classified and grouped for predetermined traitsat different stages of testing and seed increase. The method selectsgenetically desirable plants having the predetermined traits for seedincrease.

This patent describes a method for synthesizing an alfalfa producthaving increased uniformity for preselected traits having improveduniformity of one or more selected traits, including flowering dates,flower frequency, maturity rate, growth rate, fall dormancy and winterhardiness. This patent does not teach or disclose the unique features ofthe Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus and Processing Methodwith the seven steps in one pass of the alfalfa combine harvester toreduce the risk of damage to the crops by moisture when it is left inthe field to dry before processing.

None of these previous efforts, however, provides the benefits attendantwith the Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus and ProcessingMethod. The present design achieves its intended purposes, objects andadvantages over the prior art devices through a new, useful andunobvious combination of method steps and component elements byemploying readily available equipment and materials.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of thisapplication in detail it is to be understood that the process is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangement of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings the Multipurpose Leaf Crop HarvestingApparatus and Processing Method is capable of other embodiments and ofbeing practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is tobe understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein arefor the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basisfor designing of other applications and systems for carrying out theseveral purposes of the present design. It is important, therefore, thatthe claims be regarded as including such equivalent processes insofar asthey do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principal advantage of the Multipurpose Leaf Crop HarvestingApparatus and Processing Method is to provide a method for fractionatingplants into their leaf and stem parts to increase yield, quality andmarketability.

Another advantage of the Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus andProcessing Method is to strip the leaf from the standing plant and sizeand macerate the leaf in preparation for processing the leaf into itsfinal product.

Another advantage of the Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus andProcessing Method is to eliminate the weather risk of rain, hail, wind,humidity and sun bleach to the leaf fraction by doing the harvesting ina single pass operation.

Another advantage of the Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus andProcessing Method is to reduce mechanical harvest leaf losses fromconventional harvesting methods.

Another advantage of the Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus andProcessing Method is to utilize the nutritionally consistenthigh-quality plant leaves for high quality forage feed products tostabilize the diets of animals.

Another advantage of the Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus andProcessing Method by making one pass over the field is the savings inlabor, machine time and fuel costs, and lessens crop field soilcompaction.

Another advantage of the Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus andProcessing Method is to provide a unique single pass harvesting leafcombine to process and remove the high-quality leaves from the field andcut and windrow the stems to be baled for transport to be processed.

These together with other advantages of the Multipurpose Leaf CropHarvesting Apparatus and Processing Method along with the variousfeatures of novelty, which characterize the design, are pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of thisdisclosure. In this respect, before explaining at least one of theembodiments of the Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus andProcessing Method in detail it is to be understood that the design isnot limited in its application to the details of construction and to thecomposition set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings. The Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus and ProcessingMethod are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced andcarried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

The Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus and Processing Methodhave been developed to harvest the leaf fraction directly from the fieldand take it expeditiously to a processing facility where the leaffraction will be densified, for example dry-cured. The removed leaffraction is transported to the processing facility expeditiously toprevent/stop cellular respiration. Expeditiously can be defined hereinas the time necessary to arrest and stop cellular respiration, typically10 to 90 minutes. The densified leaf fraction can then be processed intoa customer-desired forage feed ration product.

The Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus and Processing Methodstrips the leaves of a standing plant such as alfalfa. The leaves areconveyed into a chopper to size the leaf fraction for processing. Theleaves are run through a macerator to rupture the cells of the plantleaf to speed up the drying process. The sized, chopped and maceratedleaf fraction is then elevated onto a trailer. It is anticipated thatthe leaf sizing and maceration could take place within the harvester, oralternatively, on site at the processing facility after the leaffraction is transported to that facility.

The stem fraction of the plant will be cut, conditioned and windrowedafter the leaf fraction has been removed. In addition, to the leaffraction being utilized, the stem fraction can also be used andprocessed into animal rations. Several anticipated ways to utilize thestem fraction include: (1) Double compressing the stem fraction willyield a softer and more palatable product for animals; (2) Chopping thestem fraction will create a loose form which may then be added topellets and cubes, thereby creating a customized animal ration.Moreover, the stem fraction may be sold directly as bales. The stemfraction may also be used as a biofuel.

The Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus and Processing Methodwill include a stripper header, chopper, macerator, elevator and railerfor the leaf fraction and a cutting head, conditioner and windrower forthe stem fraction. This process can be applied to a wide variety of leafcrop plants like legumes such as Alfalfa, Clover, Sainfoin, BirdsfootTrefoil and Austrian Winter Peas, as well as grasses and green (notripe) plant seed head removal of grasses, such as Timothy, Orchard,Bermuda, Brome, Bluegrass Oat and Barley, Wheat, and Triticale, and manyother leaf stem plants or other green grass seed head plants.

Production Requirements

-   -   1) Forage power units with combination alfalfa plant        fractionation, maceration, stem cutting, conditioning, and        windrowing headers capable of harvesting the required acreage        per day to meet dryer needs.    -   2) Trucks with beds to haul the leaf fraction material from        field to drying facility    -   3) Rakes and tractors to rake stems for baling.    -   4) Big square balers and tractors to bale stem fraction    -   5) Bale retrieving trucks to haul bale stems to edge of field        for loading    -   6) Loaders and trucks to haul baled stems to process facility    -   7) Real estate for processing plant    -   8) Dryer    -   9) Processing equipment    -   10) Packaging equipment    -   11) Storage facilities for both leaf and stem fraction products    -   12) Vehicles, tools, spare parts, etc.

The leaf fraction will be fractionated, sized, and elevated fortransportation in one pass. The stem fraction will be cut in a separatepass using a conventional hay swather. The macerator will be located atthe production facility prior to drying. However, we are working tobuild a machine that will incorporate the steps of fractionation,maceration, sizing, elevating, and cutting the stem fraction all in onepass. This process improves nutritional values, eliminates harvestweather risks and prevents losses in quality to the leaf fraction frombleaching, prolonged plant respiration, dirt, mold and decay. The quickdrying of the leaf fraction improves carbohydrate retention by stoppingplant respiration much faster than is possible in the conventionalhaving process. The consistency of the leaf fraction will make itpossible to formulate consistent high-quality rations for the varyingfeed requirements in an animal's life cycle.

Livestock and pets have optional nutritionally balanced diets based onthe stage of life and production utility. The fractionation of theplants will allow animal nutritionists to better optimize feedingrations for animal health and performance. This will also allowproducers to better balance the feed rations of the animals. The leaffraction provided can be mixed with any available fiber, feed andsupplement to create the ideal consistent ration for optimal productionand health. This invention allows for higher yields per acre, higherquality per ton produced, eliminates weather risk to the high value leaffraction and nutritional consistency to the end user.

The conventional method for the producing dried alfalfa has not changedsince the 1950's. Alfalfa is cured, conditioned, windrowed, raked, baledand stacked. The sizes of both the machinery and the bales have gottenbigger and faster over time but the basic process has remained the same.Conventional having faces the following problems: mechanical yield lossat each step of the process, yield and quality losses due to the harvestweather risks of rain, hail, humidity, wind, too much dew, not enoughdew and sun bleach along with the inconsistency of product due to thematuration and ever-changing feed quality of the stem fraction. Usingthe Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus and Processing Method,the leaf fraction of the plant can be harvested for optimal leaf yield.The conventional methods for producing quality alfalfa are responsiblefor losing 10% to 40% of the high-quality leaf yield potential due toharvest intervals, poor weather, and mechanical losses. The presentMultipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus and Processing Method, foralfalfa leaf hay process, for example, eliminates all but 3 to 5% ofleaf loss, and eliminates harvest weather risks to the leaf fraction.

Leaves are leaves in alfalfa; however, alfalfa forage quality changesdaily through the maturation of the stem fraction of the plant. Leavesharvested in the vegetative state through 40% bloom have the highestnutritional value. This harvesting and curing process gives customersnutritionally consistent, highly palatable products tailored to animalfeeding requirements. Separate leaves in a process that strips theleaves from the stems, macerates the leaves, sizes the leaf fraction fordrying and elevates the leaves onto a truck. The stems are cut,conditioned, and windrowed in the same pass. This leaf combine completesseven steps in one pass, eliminating weather associated harvest risks tothe high value leaf fraction, and increases leaf yield by 15% to 30%over conventional methods. However, timing for maximum leaf expressionwill increase yields, extend stand life and result in fewer harvests peryear.

The leaf fraction of the alfalfa will be transported by truck to aprocessing facility for densification, drying, curing and a wide varietyof other further processing operations. The leaf fraction will be driedas soon as possible to stop respiration for maximum nutritional value.The stem fraction of the plant will be conventionally sun cured, rakedand baled. The same can be accomplished with green (not ripe) grass seedheads and resulting stripped grass stems.

Alfalfa fractionation brings customizable product consistency to themarket. Higher yields (due to mechanical efficiencies and harvesttiming) and leaf fraction weather risk abatement allow for moreprofitability as compared to existing conventional having methods. Thenutritional consistency and superior palatability of these products willbe highly sought after in the marketplace and new markets will be openedto alfalfa targeted products. Animal nutritionists will be able to havea more consistent ration for livestock and pets.

Export markets will be more accessible. Dozens of leaf fractionprocessing facilities will be located in targeted geographical areasacross the USA and beyond to change the way alfalfa is harvested andmarketed worldwide. The production of alfalfa has not changed in 75years beyond the size and speed of equipment and bales. Alfalfafractionalization technology brings greater yields per acre of the highvalue leaf fraction, higher quality per ton, decreased weather risks,and accomplishing fractionation and removal in one pass lessens cropfield soil compaction. All of this adds up to increased profitability tothe forage industry. We have the potential for branding high qualityproducts and carving out a large percentage of the alfalfa industry.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of this application,to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function andmanner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent andobvious to one skilled in the art. All equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification intend tobe encompassed by the present disclosure. Therefore, the foregoing isconsidered as illustrative only of the principles of the MultipurposeLeaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus and Processing Method. Further, sincenumerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilledin the art, it is not desired to limit the design to the exactconstruction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, allsuitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, fallingwithin the scope of this application. It should also be realized bythose skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions and methodsdo not depart from the spirit and scope of this application as set forthin the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in the MultipurposeLeaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus and Processing Method and form a part ofthis specification, illustrate embodiments of the and together with thedescription, serve to explain the principles of this application.

FIG. 1 indicates the seven steps capable of being performed in one passof the crop field by the Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatusalfalfa combine harvester.

FIG. 2 describes the processing steps taken expeditiously afterharvesting where leaf fraction is trucked from the field to theprocessing plant and formed into bales, cubes and pellets beforedelivery to market, and the stem fraction is processed for varying uses.

FIG. 3 describes a classification of hay broken down into legumes andgrasses which potentially form the available harvested forage feedproducts according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts where dry matter losses during harvest and storage arerelative to the end product moisture content.

FIG. 5 depicts a chart indicating the forage yield relative to qualityat different stages of growth of the leaf crop.

FIG. 6 depicts a side elevation cross-sectional view of the multipurposeharvesting apparatus header unit and the inner parts housed thereininvolved in the crop harvesting process.

FIG. 7 depicts a side elevation cross-sectional view of the multipurposeharvesting apparatus header unit illustrating the harvesting of analfalfa type of leaf crop in the field in one pass, to eventually makeup the leaf crop forage feed end product.

FIG. 8 depicts one type of the stripper fingers used on the combineharvesting equipment.

FIG. 9 depicts a perspective side view of an alternate type of stripperfingers illustrating a support member and contoured stripper fingersends to aide in the stripping process.

FIG. 10 depicts a perspective side view of the central inner portion ofthe multipurpose harvesting apparatus header unit illustrating themovement of the parts and the movement of the leaf crop harvestedthrough the header unit.

FIG. 11 depicts a side elevation cut-away view of the multipurposeharvesting apparatus header unit attached to a forage harvester vehiclehaving an adapter therebetween, and illustrating the moving partsinvolved with the leaf fractionation process carried out by theharvesting apparatus header unit.

FIG. 12 depicts a side elevation cut-away view of the multipurposeharvesting apparatus header unit attached to a forage harvester vehiclehaving an adapter therebetween, and illustrating the stem cutting barmounted on the underside of the multipurpose harvesting apparatus headerunit.

FIG. 13 depicts an enlarged side elevation cut-away view of themultipurpose harvesting apparatus header unit having a stem cutter barmounted thereto.

FIG. 14 depicts a partial top plan view of the stem cutter barillustrating the cutter blades, cutter blade mounting support bars andthe cutter blade guide rods and movement actuator rods.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of theMultipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus and Processing Method,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings which are incorporated in andform a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the designand together with the description, serve to explain the principles ofthis application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein similar parts of the MultipurposeLeaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus and Processing Method 10 are identifiedby like reference numerals, there is seen in FIG. 1 blocks representingthe steps of the seven performed functions in the Multipurpose Leaf CropHarvesting Apparatus and Processing Method 10 indicating the seven stepsperformed in one pass in the crop field, of the alfalfa combineharvester according to the present invention. This alfalfa combineharvester encompasses a header unit, an adapter unit, a cutter bar, anda forage harvester vehicle.

Referring now to the Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus andProcessing Method 10 as shown in FIG. 1, Block 12—Step 1 indicates theleaf fractionation step where this process improves nutritional values,eliminates harvest weather risks and prevents losses in quality to theleaf fraction from bleaching, prolonged plant respiration, dirt, moldand decay. The quick drying of the leaf fraction improves carbohydrateretention by stopping plant respiration much faster than is possible inthe conventional having process. The fractionation of the plants willalso allow animal nutritionists to better optimize feeding rations foranimal health and performance.

Block 14—Step 2 indicates the leaf macerating step where leaves are runthrough a macerator to rupture the cells of the plant leaf to speed upthe drying process.

Block 16—Step 3 indicates leaf forage sizing step where the leaves areconveyed into a chopper to size the leaf fraction for processing. It isanticipated that the leaf sizing and maceration could take place withinthe harvester, or alternatively, on site at the processing facilityafter the leaf fraction is transported to that facility.

Block 18—Step 4 indicates where the leaf fraction is elevated into atransport vehicle or trailer and taken by truck to a drying facility forcuring and processing, wherein such processing steps are performedexpeditiously after harvesting.

Block 20—Step 5 indicates the stem conditioning, the first step in whichthe leaf crop stems are cut, conditioned, and windrowed in the samepass. This leaf combine completes seven steps in one pass, and becauseit removes the leaf fraction from the field expeditiously after beingharvested, this harvesting process eliminates weather associated harvestrisks to the high value leaf fraction.

Block 22—Step 6 indicates the stem mowing step where the stems are mowedand cut.

Block 24—Step 7 indicates the stem fraction step where the plant will bewindrowed or may be conventionally sun cured, raked and baled. The stemconditioning, cutting and windrowing operations can be accomplished inthe same pass. This leaf crop harvesting combine completes each of theseseven steps in one pass, thereby eliminating weather associated harvestrisks to the high value leaf fraction. The valuable leaf fraction isexpeditiously removed from the field to be further processed, while theless valuable stem fraction remains in the field and can beexpeditiously baled or removed contemporaneously.

Therefore, it should be understood that the multipurpose leaf cropharvesting apparatus is configured to be capable of performing one ormore the following seven operations in one pass through a crop field:

a) leaf stem fractionation;

b) leaf maceration;

c) leaf forage sizing;

d) elevation of leaf fraction onto a transport vehicle;

e) stem conditioning;

f) stem mowing/cutting; and

g) stem windrowing;

wherein said multipurpose leaf crop harvesting apparatus enables thedirect and expeditious removal of the leaf crop leaf fraction from thecrop field upon harvest of the leaf crop simultaneously with the sevenoperations performed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram 26 that describes the processing where leaffraction is trucked from the field to the processing plant where theleaf fraction drying is accomplished. Processing of the valuable leaffraction can be done per customized customer feed ration requirements.Once this customized formulating and mixing is accomplished, the foragefeed products are put in bales, bags, cubes or formed into pellets,bagged and sent to market as a high-quality forage feed product.

Therefore, it should be understood from FIG. 2, that the method ofharvesting and processing a harvested leaf crop comprises the steps of:

First, providing a multipurpose leaf crop harvesting apparatus which isconfigured to be capable of performing one or more of the followingseven operations in one pass through a crop field: 1) leaf stemfractionation; 2) leaf maceration; 3) leaf forage sizing; 4) elevationof leaf fraction onto a transport vehicle; 5) stem conditioning; 6) stemmowing/cutting; and 7) stem windrowing; wherein said multipurpose leafcrop harvesting apparatus enables the direct and expeditious removal ofthe leaf crop leaf fraction from the crop field upon harvest of the leafcrop simultaneously with the seven operations performed.

Second, transporting the leaf fraction to a processing plant where theleaf fraction is expeditiously densified which normally includes drying;and formulated into feed rations per customer feed ration requirements.Other forms of leaf fraction densification are also anticipated.

Third, forming the resulting feed rations into bales, bale bags, cubesand pellets for distribution and marketing of the feed rationsgenerated, wherein the processing steps are taken expeditiously afterharvesting the leaf crop to generate the formulated forage feed rationsper customer feed ration requirements. In this way, a leaf crop foragefeed ration product is generated employing the method of harvesting andprocessing a harvested leaf crop comprising the above enumerated steps,wherein the forage feed ration is subsequently processed into customfeed ration products by the addition of feed additives as per customerrequirements.

The stem fraction of the plant will be conditioned (broken and damagedto expose inner moisture and expedite drying), cut and windrowed afterthe leaf fraction has been removed. In addition to the leaf fractionbeing densified then utilized, the stem fraction can also be densified,then utilized by further processing into animal rations. Severalanticipated ways to utilize the stem fraction include: (1) doublecompressing the stem fraction will yield a softer and more palatableproduct for animals; (2) chopping the stem fraction will create a looseform which may then be added to pellets and cubes, thereby creating acustomized animal ration. In this way, a leaf crop stem fraction foragefeed ration product is generated employing the method of harvesting andprocessing a harvested leaf crop comprising the above steps, wherein thestem forage feed ration is processed into custom feed ration products bythe addition of feed additives as per customer requirements. Moreover,the stem fraction may be sold directly as bales, or further processedinto any of many varying forms to be used as a feed ration or to bemixed into feed ration formulations. Additionally, the stem fraction mayalso be densified and used as a biofuel.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram 28 that describes the products available fromthe Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus and Processing Methodsuch as Legumes for Alfalfa, Clover, Sainfoin, Birdsfoot Trefoil andAustrian Winter Peas. Grasses can be: Timothy, Orchard, Bermuda, Bromeand Bluegrass. Additional grasses can be Oats and Barley, Wheat, andTriticale. On grasses, it is anticipated that the nutrient rich greenseed heads would be stripped from the stem and harvested. In thisregard, the Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus and ProcessingMethod 10 readily enables the stripping of green seed heads fromgrasses, such as for example Timothy grass. Green seed heads fromTimothy grass and other grasses have become an important source forsmall animal rations and can be customized for each individualcustomer's feed requirement needs. After the green (not ripened) seedheads are removed from the plant, the remaining headless grasses will becut, conditioned and windrowed for sun curing and baling, much in thesame way as the alfalfa stems are processed.

FIG. 4 is a chart 30 indicating where dry matter losses during harvestand storage are relative to the end product moisture content. This chart30 demonstrates the importance of expeditious removal of the leaffraction of a leaf crop to preserve the higher nutritional value of theresulting feed product. Additionally, as the hay lays in the fielddrying, it is vulnerable to extreme loss due to weather events beyondthe control of the farmer. It is also important to prevent or stopcellular respiration in the harvested plant to preserve nutritionalvalue. The Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus and ProcessingMethod have been developed to harvest the leaf fraction directly fromthe field and take it expeditiously to a processing facility where theleaf fraction will be densified, for example dry-cured. The removed leaffraction is transported to the processing facility expeditiously toprevent/stop cellular respiration. Expeditiously can be defined hereinas the time necessary to arrest and stop cellular respiration, typically10 to 90 minutes. The densified leaf fraction can then be processed intoa customer-desired forage feed ration product.

FIG. 5 is a chart 32 indicating the forage yield relative to the qualityof the end product at different stages where the vegetative, bud, firstflower and post flower are shown. Clearly, the forage yield is at itshighest in the late maturity state, whereas, forage digestibility inanimals decreases toward the full flower stage, where leaf yield peaks.

FIG. 6 depicts a side elevation drawing of a multipurpose harvestingapparatus header unit 34 illustrating that the header unit 34 houses thestripper rotor 36. The stripper rotor has a plurality of rows ofstripper fingers 38 (here seven rows are shown). The header unit 34 alsohouses the stripper rotor 36 with rows of stripper fingers 38. Theheader unit 34 has a height adjustable crop deflector 40, and an auger42, and a top hood 44. The auger 42 is a screw type auger that conveysthe stripped leaves (leaf fraction material) through the center of theheader unit 34. The rotation of the stripper rotor 36 during forwardmotion of the header unit 34 results in the leaves of the crop beingstripped from the stems through the action of the stripper fingers 38.

FIG. 7 depicts a side elevation drawing of multipurpose harvestingapparatus header unit 34 illustrating the harvesting of an uncut wholeplant alfalfa leaf crop 45 into a leaf fraction 46. As shown here, theleaf fraction 46 is removed from the stems leaving the stems standing inthe crop field. The leaf fraction is then moved up through the headerunit 34 through the action of the stripper rotor 36 which rotates, andthe stripper fingers 38 mounted on the stripper rotor 36 which strip theleaf crop leaves front the stems. The height adjustable crop deflector40 acts to position the leaf crop for optimal stripping of the leavesfrom the stems, depending on the leaf crop (or grass crop) to beharvested and removed from the crop field. The resulting leaf fractionmoves to the auger 42 and is transported on to an elevating chute anddischarge spout apparatus to be loaded onto the transport vehiclescomprising trucks or trailers, for transport to the processingfacilities.

FIG. 8 depicts a detail illustration 48 of one type of stripper fingers38 located on the stripper rotor 36. Three different types of stripperfingers are anticipated for use, the Shelbourne fingers (as shown in thefigures here), hay tine type fingers, and sweeper brushes, all of whichare anticipated to be used in the harvesting of varying leaf and haycrops, according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 depicts an illustration 50 of a type of stripper fingers 38anticipated for use having a structure including a support member 52 anda contoured stripper finger end 54 to aide in the stripping process.This shown stripper finger 38 configuration is the preferred stripperfinger configuration, but as mentioned above, other stripper fingerconfigurations could also be used for varying leaf crop, grass crop andhay crop harvesting, using the multipurpose harvesting apparatus headerunit 34.

FIG. 10 depicts an illustration of the inside of the central portion ofthe multipurpose harvesting apparatus header unit 34 showing thestripper rotor 36, alfalfa leaf fraction (stripped off crop leaves) ofthe now cut whole plant alfalfa leaf crop 45 and the auger 42. Thisillustrates the movement of the stripped leaf fraction 46 into the auger42 after being cut and moved through the rotation of the stripper rotor36 having a plurality of stripper fingers 38 thereon. The rotation speedof the stripper rotor can vary in revolutions per minute (RPM) dependingon the type of crop to be harvested. It is anticipated that the leaffraction 46 may then move to a leaf macerator for leaf fractionmaceration, or alternatively, the maceration step may occur at aprocessing facility after the harvested leaf fraction is elevated ontotransport vehicles during the harvesting pass, and directly andexpeditiously transported to that processing facility. Additionally,leaf sizing may occur within the process in addition to or separate fromthe leaf maceration operation.

FIG. 11 depicts a side elevation cut-away view of the multipurposeharvesting apparatus header unit 34 attached to a forage harvestervehicle 56 having an adapter feeder macerator assembly 58 therebetween,and illustrating the moving parts involved with the leaf fractionationprocess carried out by the harvesting apparatus header unit 34 and thesubsequent movement of the resulting leaf fraction. In order to optimizeleaf fractionation, the height adjustable crop deflector 40 is mountedon the front of the header unit 34 and can be positioned upwardly ordownwardly riding on a crop deflector guide roller 62 located under thetop hood 44 of header unit 34. When the combine harvester moves forward60, and stripper rotor 36 is rotating, the leaves of the now cut wholeplant alfalfa leaf crop 45 are stripped from the stems of the crop,leaving only stripped leaf crop stems 47 and moved into an auger 42. Theauger 42 then moves the leaf fraction into the adapter feeder maceratorassembly 58 to an adapter feeder paddlewheel 64, through multipleprimary feed rolls 66, multiple secondary feed rolls 68, and past ashear bar 70 to a rotating cutter drum 72. From there, the leaf fractionis elevated by the action of the rotating cutter drum 72 and a bloweraccelerator 74 up through and out of a discharged spout 78 in aspecified direction dictated by a directional discharge plate 76 locatedon the end of the discharged spout 78.

FIG. 12 depicts a side elevation cut-away view of the multipurposeharvesting apparatus header unit 34 attached to a forage harvestervehicle 56 having an adapter feeder macerator assembly 58 therebetween,and illustrating the stem cutting bar assembly 80 mounted on thebackside of the multipurpose harvesting apparatus header unit 34.

FIG. 13 depicts an enlarged side elevation cut-away view of themultipurpose harvesting apparatus header unit 34 having a stem cutterbar assembly 80 mounted thereto. This enlarged detailed look at thecutter bar assembly 80, illustrates that the cutter bar assembly 80includes a cutter bar mount arm and machine attach structure 82, adouble knife/scissors support bar 84, and a plurality of double knifesections 86 in variable linear lengths depending on the header width,mounted on the cutter double knife support bar 84. When the cutter barpasses over the ground it floats above the ground on the heightadjustable skid shoe 88 as it cuts the remaining leaf crop stems 47 downlow to the ground leaving a stem stubble 49. This remaining stem stubble49 allows the plant to regrow in the crop field for future harvesting.

FIG. 14 depicts a partial top plan view of further detail of the stemcutter bar assembly 80 illustrating a closer view of the cutter bar andthe reciprocating double knife assembly 82, a double knife support bar84, and a plurality of upper double knife blades 94, a plurality oflower double knife blades 96, and illustrates the position, orientationand structure of the cutter bar lower knife guide arm 90 and the cutterbar upper knife guide arm 92, with relation to the double knife supportbar 84. The action of the stem cutter bar assembly 80 is to cut the stemfraction remaining after the leaf fractionation operation. Stemconditioning, which occurs when the stripper rotor removes the leaffraction from the plant, involves breaking or damaging the outsidesurface of the stem, thereby exposing moisture stored in the stem, toallow for faster drying of the stem fraction.

The Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus and Processing Method 10shown in the drawings and described in detail herein disclosearrangements of elements of particular construction and configurationfor illustrating preferred embodiments of structure and method ofoperation of the present application. It is to be understood, however,that elements of different construction and configuration and otherarrangements thereof, other than those illustrated and described may beemployed for providing a Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus andProcessing Method 10 in accordance with the spirit of this disclosure,and such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to thoseskilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this designas broadly defined in the appended claims.

While certain embodiments of the Multipurpose Leaf Crop HarvestingApparatus and Processing Method have been described, these embodimentshave been presented by way of example only, and are not intended tolimit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods and systemsdescribed herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms.Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the systemsand methods described herein may be made without departing from thespirit of the disclosure. For example, one portion of one of theembodiments described herein can be substituted for another portion inanother embodiment described herein. The accompanying claims and theirequivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as wouldfall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, thescope of the present inventions is defined only by reference to theappended claims.

Features, materials, characteristics, or groups described in conjunctionwith a particular aspect, embodiment, or example are to be understood tobe applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described inthis section or elsewhere in this specification unless incompatibletherewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or allof the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined inany combination, except combinations where at least some of suchfeatures and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The protection is notrestricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The protectionextends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the featuresdisclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims,abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination,of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Furthermore, certain features that are described in this disclosure inthe context of separate implementations can also be implemented incombination in a single implementation. Conversely, various featuresthat are described in the context of a single implementation can also beimplemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitablesubcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above asacting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimedcombination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and thecombination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of asubcombination.

Moreover, while operations may be depicted in the drawings or describedin the specification in a particular order, such operations need not beperformed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or thatall operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Otheroperations that are not depicted or described can be incorporated in theexample methods and processes. For example, one or more additionaloperations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or betweenany of the described operations. Further, the operations may berearranged or reordered in other implementations. Those skilled in theart will appreciate that in some embodiments, the actual steps taken inthe processes illustrated and/or disclosed may differ from those shownin the figures. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the stepsdescribed above may be removed, others may be added. Furthermore, thefeatures and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above maybe combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all ofwhich fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Also, theseparation of various system components in the implementations describedabove should not be understood as requiring such separation in allimplementations, and it should be understood that the describedcomponents and systems can generally be integrated together in a singleproduct or packaged into multiple products.

For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novelfeatures are described herein. Not necessarily all such advantages maybe achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, forexample, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure maybe embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or agroup of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving otheradvantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unlessspecifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within thecontext as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certainfeatures, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is notgenerally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are inany way required for one or more embodiments or that one or moreembodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without userinput or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or steps areincluded or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,”unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with thecontext as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may beeither X, Y. or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generallyintended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of atleast one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

Language of degree used herein, such as the terms “approximately,”“about,” “generally,” and “substantially” as used herein represent avalue, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, orcharacteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves adesired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”,“generally,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is withinless than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, withinless than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount. Asanother example, in certain embodiments, the terms “generally parallel”and “substantially parallel” refer to a value, amount, or characteristicthat departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to 15 degrees,10 degrees, 5 degrees, 3 degrees, 1 degree, or 0.1 degree.

The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by thespecific disclosures of preferred embodiments in this section orelsewhere in this specification, and may be defined by claims aspresented in this section or elsewhere in this specification or aspresented in the future. The language of the claims is to be interpretedbroadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited tothe examples described in the present specification or during theprosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed asnon-exclusive.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office, foreign patent offices worldwide and thepublic generally, and especially the scientists, engineers andpractitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal termsor phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection thenature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. Theabstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application,which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as tothe scope of the invention in any way.

We claim:
 1. A multipurpose leaf crop harvesting apparatus, comprising:(a) a harvesting apparatus header unit attachable to an adapter unitwhich is configured to attach to a forage harvester vehicle, housing (b)a stripper rotor rotatably housed within said header unit having aplurality of radially arranged stripper fingers affixed thereto; (b)said harvesting apparatus header unit having an adjustable cropdeflector movably attached thereto; and (c) said harvesting apparatusheader unit housing an auger and having a top hood; wherein saidharvesting header unit is attached to a forage harvester vehicle andsaid stripper fingers are capable of stripping leaf crop leaves from theleaf crop stems and are arranged radially on said stripper rotor andwhen said stripper rotor rotates, said stripper fingers fractionate theleaf crop by stripping the leaf crop leaves off the leaf crop stems andtransporting the leaf fraction into the radius underside of saidadjustable crop deflector and through the center of said harvestingapparatus header to an auger, thereby removing the leaf fraction fromthe leaf crop field by elevating the leaf fraction onto a transportvehicle upon the first harvesting pass though the leaf crop field. 2.The multipurpose leaf crop harvesting apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said adapter unit houses a feeder macerator unit.
 3. Themultipurpose leaf crop harvesting apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said plurality of stripper fingers arranged radially and locatedon said stripper rotor are supported by a support member and include acontoured stripper finger end.
 4. The multipurpose leaf crop harvestingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of stripperfingers include Shelbourne-type stripper fingers, hay tine-type stripperfingers, and sweeper brush-type stripper fingers, depending upon thetype of leaf crop, hay crop or grass crop to be harvested.
 5. Themultipurpose leaf crop harvesting apparatus according to claim 2,further including an adapter feeder macerator capable of leaf macerationoperations, wherein said feeder macerator adapter variably macerates theleaf fraction generating a macerated leaf fraction prior to elevatingthe leaf fraction onto a transport vehicle.
 6. The multipurpose leafcrop harvesting apparatus according to claim 5, further including anadapter feeder macerator capable of leaf maceration operations, whereinsaid feeder macerator adapter macerates the leaf fraction when the leafcrop is being harvested by the leaf crop harvesting apparatus.
 7. Themultipurpose leaf crop harvesting apparatus according to claim 5,further including an adapter feeder macerator capable of leaf macerationoperations, wherein said feeder macerator unit does not macerate theleaf fraction when the leaf crop is being harvested, and further whereinthe maceration step occurs at a processing facility after the harvestedleaf fraction is elevated onto transport vehicles during the harvestingpass, and directly and expeditiously transported to that processingfacility.
 8. The multipurpose leaf crop harvesting apparatus accordingto claim 5, wherein said macerated leaf fraction is sized generating amacerated and sized leaf fraction prior to elevating said macerated andsized leaf fraction onto a transport vehicle.
 9. The multipurpose leafcrop harvesting apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said maceratedand sized leaf fraction is elevated onto a transport vehicle in oneharvesting pass through a leaf crop field and thereby directly andexpeditiously removed from the leaf crop field in one harvesting pass.10. The multipurpose leaf crop harvesting apparatus according to claim1, wherein said harvesting apparatus header unit housing said stripperrotor, said stripper fingers, and said adjustable crop deflector,further includes a height adjustable crop deflector having cropdeflector guide rollers to enable upward and downward height adjustmentof said adjustable crop deflector to maximize leaf fractionation bydeflecting the crop into an optimal position angle prior to contact withsaid stripper rotor, depending on the crop to be harvested.
 11. Themultipurpose leaf crop harvesting apparatus according to claim 1,wherein removing the leaf crop leaf fraction from the leaf crop fieldupon the first harvesting pass, further includes processing theremaining in-field stem fraction by stem conditioning of the leaf cropstems, and stem cutting of the leaf crop stems followed by stemwindrowing of the leaf crop stems resulting in in-field stem fractionwindrows composed of aggregates of the conditioned cut leaf crop stems.12. The multipurpose leaf crop harvesting apparatus according to claim11, wherein said resulting in-field stem fraction windrows composed ofaggregates of the conditioned cut leaf crop stems are bailed and removedfrom the leaf crop field.
 13. The multipurpose leaf crop harvestingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said harvesting apparatus headerunit attachable to an adapter feeder macerator and conventionalharvester combine vehicle, is configured to be capable of performing thefollowing operations in one pass through a leaf crop field: a) leaf cropstripping of the leaf crop leaves from the leaf crop stems, therebygenerating a leaf crop leaf fraction; b) leaf crop leaf fractionmaceration; c) leaf crop leaf fraction sizing; d) elevation of said leafcrop leaf fraction onto a transport vehicle; e) leaf crop stemconditioning, leaf crop stem cutting and leaf crop stem windrowing;wherein said harvesting apparatus header unit enables the direct andexpeditious removal of the leaf crop leaf fraction from the crop fieldupon harvest of the leaf crop simultaneously with all of the harvestingoperations performed.
 14. The multipurpose leaf crop harvestingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the crop harvested is alfalfaand said harvesting apparatus header strips the alfalfa leaves from thealfalfa stems, thereby fractionating the alfalfa leaves in oneharvesting pass and leaving the remaining alfalfa stems standing in thefield.
 15. The multipurpose leaf crop harvesting apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the wherein the crop harvested is a grass crop and saidharvesting apparatus header strips the grass seed head from the grassstem, thereby fractionating the grass seed head in one harvesting passand leaving the grass stems standing in the field.
 16. The multipurposeleaf crop harvesting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the whereinthe rotation speed of the stripper rotor can vary in revolutions perminute during harvesting operations, depending on the type of crop to beharvested.
 17. The multipurpose leaf crop harvesting apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the wherein the height adjustable crop deflectorincludes a height adjustable crop deflector which acts to position theleaf crop for optimal stripping of the leaf crop leaves from the leafcrop stems, depending on the leaf crop to be harvested and removed fromthe leaf crop field.
 18. A method for making a multipurpose leaf cropharvesting apparatus, comprising the steps of: (a) providing aharvesting apparatus header unit attachable to an adapter unit which isconfigured to attach toy a forage harvester vehicle, housing (b)providing a stripper rotor rotatably housed within said header unithaving a plurality of radially arranged stripper fingers affixedthereto; (b) providing said harvesting apparatus header unit having anadjustable crop deflector movably attached thereto; and (c) providingsaid harvesting apparatus header unit housing an auger and having a tophood; wherein said harvesting header unit is attached to a forageharvester vehicle and said stripper fingers are capable of strippingleaf crop leaves from the leaf crop stems and are arranged radially onsaid stripper rotor and when said stripper rotor rotates, said stripperfingers fractionate the leaf crop by stripping the leaf crop leaves offthe leaf crop stems and transporting the leaf fraction into the radiusunderside of said adjustable crop deflector and through the center ofsaid harvesting apparatus header to an auger, thereby removing the leaffraction from the leaf crop field by elevating the leaf fraction onto atransport vehicle upon the first harvesting pass though the leaf cropfield.
 19. A method for harvesting a leaf crop and processing aharvested leaf crop using the multipurpose leaf crop harvestingapparatus according to claim 18, comprising the steps of: a) harvestinga leaf crop by stripping the leaf crop leaves off of the leaf crop stemsthereby generating a leaf crop leaf fraction and a leaf crop stemfraction and elevating said leaf fraction onto a transport vehicle usinga multipurpose leaf crop harvesting apparatus having a forage harvestervehicle an adapter feeder macerator and a harvesting header unitconfigured to perform multiple harvesting operations in one pass througha crop field, wherein said multipurpose leaf crop harvesting apparatusenables the removal of the leaf crop leaf fraction from the crop fieldupon harvest of the leaf crop during the first harvesting pass throughthe leaf crop field; and b) transporting the leaf fraction elevated ontoa transport vehicle directly to a processing plant and c) densifying theleaf fraction upon arrival at said processing plant, thereby generatinga densified leaf crop leaf fraction for further processing intodensified leaf crop leaf fraction products; wherein the transporting anddensifying processing steps are taken expeditiously after harvesting andremoval of the leaf crop leaf fraction.
 20. The method of harvesting aleaf crop and processing a harvested leaf crop using the multipurposeleaf crop harvesting apparatus according to claim 19, wherein saidmaceration step is performed at a processing plant after said transportto a processing plant.
 21. The method of harvesting a leaf crop andprocessing a harvested leaf crop using the multipurpose leaf cropharvesting apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said step ofdensifying the leaf fraction upon arrival at said processing plantincludes drying a macerated leaf crop leaf fraction or a whole leafnon-macerated leaf crop leaf fraction.